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John Wants Young Scots To Get Physical

Scotland under-20 will look to “impose their game” in the side’s crucial final Pool C game against Tonga at the Club Atletico Estudiantes, Argentina (kick-off 5pm BST).

Both Tonga and the Scots have suffered heavily at the hands of Pool C opponents Australia and South Africa and now must win this final match to be in with a chance of making the 5th to 8th place play-off phase of the championship where, in 2009, Scotland met and defeated the south-sea islanders (28-25) in the final to finish ninth in the world.

Scotland under-20 will look to “impose their game” in the side’s crucial final Pool C game against Tonga at the Club Atletico Estudiantes, Argentina (kick-off 5pm BST).

Both Tonga and the Scots have suffered heavily at the hands of Pool C opponents Australia and South Africa and now must win this final match to be in with a chance of making the 5th to 8th place play-off phase of the championship where, in 2009, Scotland met and defeated the south-sea islanders (28-25) in the final to finish ninth in the world.

Scotland head coach Eamon John, said: “For the past week our focus has been on looking forward and not back. We need to keep our mind and bodies fresh so the players can go out there, perform and achieve.

“Last season’s game against Tonga was a tough, confrontational match; and I don’t expect anything less this time round. They’re a typical island team, very physical, but we’ve identified ways in which we think we can hurt them.”

The Scotland under-20 backs see the return of new Glasgow Warriors recruits Duncan Weir (stand-off) and Alex Dunbar (centre) – the latter reforming a physical centre partnership with Sale Sharks’ Jonny Kennedy, established in the Six Nations but prevented by injury so far in the World Championships.

Full-back Tom Brown also returns to the starting back line and is joined by Michael Tait and Dougie Fife who keep their places on the wing.

In the forwards Alun Walker and Nicky Little, who both started against Australia, return to the front-row, regular starters Michael Maltman and Robert Harley come in at open and blind-side flanker respectively while the ever present captain Stuart McInally leads from number 8.

John added: “I’m looking for our players to concentrate on the areas we’ve identified to impose our game. We want to dominate the Tongan set-piece, get our starting plays right and build from there, so Tonga have to react to us and our game.

“This is an important game for Scottish Rugby’s best young players who need to come to the table in this match.”

Scotland team to play Tonga at the Club Atletico Estudiantes, Parana (kick-off 1pm Argentina time, 5pm BST)